America -
I lie in bed, unable to sleep, so I twist and face Maxon. His eyes are closed, but I know he's not sleeping because his breathing is silent. I kiss him softly and his eyes flutter open, his lips forming a smile.
"What is it, my darling?" He asks.
I smile at the nickname and remember how we decided on it.
"I'm just thinking about the twins." I tell him.
He nods thoughtfully.
"I know it's going to be difficult for Austin, but I feel confident he'll find the right woman for him. I found you, after all."
I blush. Ridiculous. Even after twenty-one years of married bliss, a simple sentence from him can turn me into a puddle of goop. Grinning, I remember my first night at the palace, when I yelled at him and criticized The Selection, which wasn't even his idea.
"I know, but what about Apollo? I feel like he thinks Austin is better, even though he doesn't see the whole picture." I say.
"Apollo has always been like this. You know he and Austin would never let something like that come between them." Maxon says.
I sigh.
"I hope you're right."
He smiles that reassuring smile, then puts his arm over me. Finally, sleep finds me.
Dusk -
The weeks leading up to the drawing seem to last forever. Luckily, Brandon's made the whole thing bearable. He understands why I had to apply. It's not like I wouldn't have done the same if I was in Mom's place.
We're Sixes. We don't live in luxury. We go without most necessities, like food and water. I hope Beatrix gets selected and wins. Then Brandon and I can still be together, and Mom won't worry about our health all the time.
The only thing I can do is hope and pray that nothing bad happens and that nothing will come between me and Brandon. I don't know how I'll live if Dawn or I get selected.
Even though we're poor, and it's a busy workday, all our employers have sent us home early for the big day. Many of them want to watch the drawing with their own families, so it's not as if they're thinking of us, but it's still a happiness that I'm not complaining about.
Dawn and I sit on the couch as I braid her shimmering hair, and I pull back from her face to admire the silver Dutch braids hanging around her beautiful face. I wonder if she knows how much I adore her.
She's always been more headstrong, more brave, more willing to do what it takes than me, and I love her for it. I've always been her rope, tethering her to earth so she doesn't float away into space. Whoever ends up with her won't deserve her. No one does in my mind.
Astra sits at the base of the couch, and Dawn braids Astra's hair while I do Dawn's. Astra's light brown hair is woven into a complex mix of intertwining strands that shine in the light.
I smile approvingly at Dawn and hand her a small hand mirror Brandon gave me. She gasps in awe as she sees how gorgeous she looks, and I swear she's about to start crying.
We both know how real this is about to get.
"Everyone, hush!" Mom announces dramatically, and Dawn rolls her eyes sarcastically at me.
I stifle a laugh, but I swallow it when I remember why we're here. The couch is only big enough for me and Dawn to sit on so Astra sits on the ground with Winter on her lap and Luna at her side. Mom and Dad remain standing.
Winter, our six-year-old sister, is already pretty. Her hair is jet-black and wavy, just like Mom's and Luna's, but her eyes are a beautiful gray, like me and Dawn. She looks like a mix of Astra and Luna aside from her coloring, and we all dote on her.
Mom flicks on the TV which buffers a few times but works because we're all required to have one by law. The one channel that's free for everyone comes on, and we all crowd around as the Illéan anthem begins to play. We all put our hands to our chests and sing, even Winter, though it's half-heartedly. It's not because we dislike the royal family, because Queen America and King Maxon have changed many things for the better, but we're all tired.
Finally, the camera cuts to Gavril Fadaye, who looks totally at ease. He looks at someone off-camera as he speaks, addressing the prince.
"So, Your Highness, today must be a big day for you." He says.
The camera cuts to Austin, and I find he's a little nervous.
"Of course not. It's only like I'll be hearing the name of my future wife today." He jokes.
Gavril laughs politely. It's not that funny. Finally, Austin reaches into the first of the thirty-five large glass bowls that have been placed on the long table in front of him. He tries to inconspicuously clear his throat, but I can still tell. I feel Dawn squeeze my hand.
"From the province of Allens, Miss Calypso Everest, Two!" He announces.
My heart rate picks up.
"From the province of Angeles, Miss Margaret Higgins, Four!"
He reaches into the third bowl, picking up the pace, looking less nervous by the second.
"From the province of Atlin, Miss Jessica Baker, Five!" "From the province of Baffin, Miss Mira Harper, Seven!" "From the province of Bankston, Miss Kiko Evans, Three!" "From the province of Belcourt, Miss Nimeah Linh, Eight!" "From the province of Bonita, Miss Orchid Jules, Eight!"
He pauses, looking at the picture on the card before it is displayed on the screen. When I see it, I understand why he paused. To put it simply, Orchid is pretty, like her name.
"From the province of Calgary, Miss Cliffe Jones, Three!" "From the province of Carolina..." Austin hesitates, looking to someone off-screen. Presumably his mother, Queen America. She was from Carolina. He clears his throat again.
"From the province of Carolina, Miss Hazel Clark, Two!" "From the province of Clermont, Miss Danielle Black, Three!" "From the province of Columbia, Miss Genevieve Night, Two!"
My breath catches. Now it's our province. Dawn squeezes my hand harder, and I curl my other hand into a fist so hard my nails bite into my palm.
"From the province of Dakota, Miss Dusk Willow, Six!"
No. My world stops. My head starts spinning and I try to stand up, but I fall, and Dawn barely catches me. Then everything goes black.